Electric power steering apparatus

ABSTRACT

A first-stage phase compensation means, a second-stage phase compensation means, and a third-stage phase compensation means are configured in such a way that a frequency at which a phase calculated through the transfer function of the first-stage phase compensation means becomes maximal and a frequency at which a phase calculated through a transfer function of the first-stage phase compensation means and the third-stage phase compensation means becomes maximal coincide with each other; a motor for generating assist torque is controlled, based on a torque signal to which the first-stage phase compensation means, the second-stage phase compensation means, and the third-stage phase compensation means have applied phase compensation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electric power steering apparatus to be mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile and particularly to a control device thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

As is well known, an electric power steering apparatus is to assist a driver's operation of steering wheels in such a way that a torque sensor detects steering torque exerted on a steering wheel by a driver of a vehicle, a motor produces driving torque corresponding to the detected steering torque, and then the driving torque produced by the motor is exerted on a steering mechanism of the vehicle.

In general, an electric power steering apparatus is configured in such a way as to provide a phase delay or a phase advance to a torque signal from a torque sensor so that the gain is adjusted. For example, in a conventional control device for an electric power steering apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a first-stage phase advance compensation means formed of hardware applies phase-advance compensation to a torque signal from a torque sensor at a frequency around the crossover frequency of a steering system; then, a second-stage phase advance compensation means formed of software applies phase-advance compensation to the torque signal in a low frequency band that is mainly utilized in practical steering; furthermore, a third-stage phase delay compensation means applies phase-advance compensation to the torque signal so that the phase margin further increases. In the foregoing control device for an electric power steering apparatus, each of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the third-stage phase delay compensation means is formed of software for a microcomputer.

In a conventional electric power steering apparatus configured in such a manner as described above, because the gain increases in a frequency band that is utilized in practical steering, the responsiveness of the steering system can be raised and the phase margin also increases, so that the stability of the steering system can also be enhanced.

PRIOR ART REFERENCE Patent Document

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 3556083

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The conventional electric power steering apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 has three phase compensation means, as described above; the first-stage phase advance compensation means for stabilizing the steering system is formed of hardware and performs phase-advance compensation, for example, in such a way that the phase at approximately 30 [Hz] advances at most, as represented in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1. A torque signal to which the first-stage phase advance compensation means has applied phase-advance compensation is A/D-converted and then received by a microcomputer; at that time, the torque signal is A/D-converted at a frequency, for example, 1 [kHz] that is sufficiently higher than the foregoing approximately 30 [Hz] at which phase compensation is required in order to stabilize the steering system. As a result, the microcomputer receives a torque signal whose high-frequency components are amplified. In the case of this conventional apparatus, there has been a problem that because the first-stage phase advance compensation means is formed of hardware, the product cost increases.

In contrast, when in order to reduce the product cost, the forgoing phase advance compensation means formed of hardware is replaced by a phase advance compensation means formed of software, the phase advance compensation means formed of software receives a torque signal, from a torque sensor, that has been A/D-converted, and performs phase advance compensation based on the characteristics represented in FIG. 2 of the foregoing Patent Document 1; thus, high-frequency components including a quantization error caused by the sampling frequency for the A/D conversion, noise, or the like is amplified. Accordingly, when the handwheel is held, a motor assist current for assisting the handwheel is calculated by use of a torque signal including vibrating components caused by the foregoing quantization error; thus, in comparison with the conventional apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the merchantability is deteriorated because the steering torque at a time when the steering wheel is held includes vibrating components. As a result, there has been a problem, for example, that it is difficult to replace the phase advance compensation means formed of hardware by a phase advance compensation means formed of software.

The present invention has been implemented in order to solve the foregoing problems; the objective thereof is to provide a more inexpensive electric power steering apparatus that prevents a quantization error caused through A/D conversion by a microcomputer from deteriorating the steering feeling, without impairing the stability of the steering system.

Means for Solving the Problems

An electric power steering apparatus according to the present invention includes a torque sensor that detects steering torque exerted on a steering system of a vehicle by a driver of the vehicle and then outputs a torque signal, a motor that is coupled with the steering system, generates assist torque for assisting steering by the driver, and then exerts the assist torque on the steering system, and a control means that drives the motor in such a way that the assist torque corresponding to the torque signal is generated; the electric power steering apparatus is characterized in that the control means includes at least a first-stage phase compensation means that is formed of software and applies phase compensation to the torque signal outputted from the torque sensor, a second-stage phase compensation means that is formed of software and applies phase compensation to a torque signal to which phase compensation has been applied by the first-stage phase compensation means, and a third-stage phase compensation means that is formed of software and applies phase compensation to a torque signal to which phase compensation has been applied by the second-stage phase compensation means, in that letting T1 and T2 denote time constants, a transfer function of the first-stage phase compensation means is given by a Laplace transformation equation (1+T1·s)/(1+T2·s), in that letting T3 and T4 denote time constants, a transfer function of the second-stage phase compensation means is given by a Laplace transformation equation (1+T3·s)/(1+T4·s), in that letting T5 and T6 denote time constants, a transfer function of the third-stage phase compensation means is given by a Laplace transformation equation (1+T5·s)/(1+T6·s), in that the first-stage phase compensation means, the second-stage phase compensation means, and the third-stage phase compensation means are configured in such a way that a frequency at which a phase calculated through the transfer function of the first-stage phase compensation means becomes maximal and a frequency at which a phase calculated through a transfer function of the first-stage phase compensation means and the third-stage phase compensation means becomes maximal coincide with each other, and in that the control means controls the motor, based on a torque signal to which the first-stage phase compensation means, the second-stage phase compensation means, and the third-stage phase compensation means have applied phase compensation.

Advantage of the Invention

The electric power steering apparatus according to the present invention reduces the effect of a quantization error and hence an in expensive electric power steering control apparatus can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing control in an electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a characteristic chart representing the frequency characteristics of a first-stage phase advance compensation means in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory graph representing the frequency characteristics of the gain of a second-stage phase advance compensation means in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory graph representing the frequency characteristics of the gain of a third-stage phase delay compensation means in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a characteristic chart representing frequency characteristics obtained by combining the frequency characteristics of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the frequency characteristics of the third-stage phase delay compensation means in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory graph representing the relationship between the assist current and the steering torque of the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram representing control in an electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a characteristic chart representing frequency characteristics obtained by combining the frequency characteristics of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the frequency characteristics of the third-stage phase delay compensation means in an electric power steering apparatus according to each of Embodiments 2, 3, and 4 of the present invention at a time when the high-frequency gain is “1”;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram representing control in an electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram representing control in an electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1

Hereinafter, an electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing control in an electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a torque sensor 1 detects steering torque exerted on a steering wheel (although referred to also as a handle, referred to as a steering wheel, in the following explanation) by a driver of a vehicle and then outputs a torque signal. A vehicle speed sensor 2 detects the traveling speed of the vehicle so as to output a vehicle speed signal.

A motor 3 is controlled by an electric power steering control means 12, based on the torque signal from the torque sensor 1, and outputs assist torque to be exerted on a steering mechanism (unillustrated). The electric power steering control means 12 is provided with a microcomputer 11, a motor driving means 10 formed of an electronic circuit, and a motor current detection means 8 formed of an electronic circuit.

The microcomputer 11 includes a phase advance compensation means as a first-stage phase compensation means (referred to as a first-stage phase advance compensation means, hereinafter) 4, a phase advance compensation means as a second-stage phase compensation means (referred to as a second-stage phase advance compensation means, hereinafter) 5, a phase delay compensation means as a third-stage phase compensation means (referred to as a third-stage phase delay compensation means, hereinafter) 6, a motor current target value calculation means 7, and a motor current control means 9; each of these means is formed of software.

In order to raise the responsiveness and the stability of the whole steering system, the first-stage phase advance compensation means 4 formed of software applies phase-advance compensation to a torque signal, from the torque sensor 1, that has been A/D-converted at a high frequency such as 1 [kHz] and received by the microcomputer 11. As described later, the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6, which are formed of software, compensate the frequency characteristics of the first-stage phase advance compensation means 4.

The motor current target value calculation means 7 calculates the target value of an electric current to be supplied to the motor 3. The motor current detection means 8 detects an electric current in the motor 3. By use of a motor current target value from the motor current target value calculation means 7 and a motor current detection value from the motor current detection means 8, the motor current control means 9 calculates and outputs a motor current control signal for controlling the motor current. The motor driving means 10 drives the motor 3, based on the motor current control signal calculated by the motor current control means 9.

Next, the operation of the electric power steering apparatus configured as described above will be explained. At first, the first-stage phase advance compensation means 4 applies phase compensation to the torque signal, from the torque sensor 1, that is inputted to the electric power steering control means 12. FIG. 2 is a characteristic chart representing the frequency characteristics of a first-stage phase advance compensation means in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

The phase θ1 for a frequency in the Laplace-transform equation[(1+T1·s)/(1+T2·s)] of a transfer function can be calculated through the equation (1) below (for example, refer to “Basic Automatic Control” by Setsuo Sagara, Morikita Publishing Co., Ltd.).

θ1=arctan(T2·ω)−arctan(T1·ω)  (1)

where each of T1 and T2 is the time constant of the first-stage phase advance compensation means 4, and ω is an angular frequency.

The frequency at which the phase θ1 to be calculated through the equation (1) becomes maximal is obtained by calculating, through the equation (2) below, an angular frequency C at which the changing amount of the phase θ1 becomes “0”, i.e., the value obtained by differentiating the equation (1) becomes “0”.

T2/(T22·ω2+1)−T1/(T12·ω2+1)=0  (2)

Next, the phase θ2 for an angular frequency in the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 is calculated as represented in the equation (3).

θ2=arctan(T4·ω)−arctan(T3·ω)−arctan(T6·ω)+arctan(T5·ω)  (3)

where each of T3 and T4 is the time constant of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5; each of T5 and T6 is the time constant of the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6; ω is an angular frequency.

The frequency at which the phase θ2 becomes maximal is obtained by calculating, through the equation (4) below, an angular frequency ω at which the changing amount of the phase θ2 becomes “0”, i.e., the value obtained by differentiating the equation (3) becomes “0”.

T4/(T42·ω2+1)−T3/(T32·ω2+1)−T5/(T52·ω2+1)+T6/(T62·ω2+1)=0  (4)

The corner frequencies of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 are given by the equations (5) and (6) below.

f3=1/(2π·T3)  (5)

f4=1/(2π·T4)  (6)

FIG. 3 is an explanatory graph representing the frequency characteristics of the gain of the second-stage phase advance compensation means in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. From the corner frequencies f3 and f4 given by the equations (5) and (6), respectively, the relationship between the gain and the frequency of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 can simply be represented by FIG. 3; in this case, the amount of gain increment due to the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 is simply given by the equation (7) below.

G2=20·log(f4/f3)  (7)

where G2 is the simplified calculation value of the amount of gain increment due to the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5.

The corner frequencies of the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 are given by the equations (8) and (9) below.

f5=1/(2π·T5)  (8)

f6=1/(2π·T6)  (9)

FIG. 4 is an explanatory graph representing the frequency characteristics of the gain of the third-stage phase delay compensation means in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. From the corner frequencies f5 and f6 given by the equations (8) and (9), respectively, the relationship between the gain and the frequency of the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 can simply be represented by FIG. 4; in this case, the amount of gain decrement due to the phase compensation is simply given by the equation (10) below.

G3=−20·log(f5/f6)  (10)

where G3 is the simplified calculation value of the amount of gain decrement due to the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6.

The gain at a time when the phase compensation is performed by use of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 becomes a value obtained by the addition of the equations (7) and (10); therefore, when the corner frequencies are set in such a way that f4/f3<f5/f6, the gain can be decreased through the phase compensation by the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6.

For example, when by use of the relational equation (2) and (4), the corner frequencies f1, f2, f3, f4, f5, and f6 are set to 13.4 [Hz], 67 [Hz], 19 [Hz], 28.5 [Hz], 3 [Hz], and 1.5 [Hz], respectively, the frequency at which the phase θ1 of the first-stage phase advance compensation means 4 becomes maximal is 30 [Hz], as represented in FIG. 2. Meanwhile, the frequency at which the phase θ2 obtained through the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 becomes maximal is also 30 [Hz], as represented in FIG. 5.

In other words, FIG. 5 is a characteristic chart representing frequency characteristics obtained by combining the frequency characteristics of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the frequency characteristics of the third-stage phase delay compensation means in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As represented in FIG. 5, even when the torque signal from the torque sensor 1 is A/D-converted at a high frequency of, for example, 1 [kHz] and then is received by the microcomputer 11, the effect of a quantization error can be reduced because the gain decreases at the high frequency of 1 [kHz].

In FIG. 1, the torque signal to which phase compensation has been applied by the phase advance compensation means 4, which is a first-stage phase compensation means, the phase advance compensation means 5, which is a second-stage phase compensation means, and the phase delay compensation means 6, which is a third-stage phase compensation means, is inputted to the motor current target value calculation means 7. Based on the vehicle speed signal inputted from the vehicle speed sensor 2 and the torque signal to which the phase compensation is applied in such a manner as described above, the motor current target value calculation means 7 calculates a motor current target value, as represented in FIG. 6, for example.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory graph representing the relationship between the assist current and the steering torque in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; the relationship between the steering torque and the motor current target value, as the assist current to be calculated based on the torque signal and the vehicle speed is represented. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in general, the motor current target value is set in such a way that the assist current becomes larger as the vehicle speed decreases.

In FIG. 1, based on the motor current target value from the motor current target value calculation means 7 and the motor current detection value detected by the motor current detection means 8, the motor current control means 9 calculates a motor driving signal and then outputs it to the motor driving means 10. Based on the motor driving signal from the motor current control means 9, the motor driving means 10 drives the motor 3 so that the motor 3 produces desired assist torque.

As described above, in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; the three phase compensation means are combined so that without reducing the phase-advance angle at a frequency (e.g., 30 [Hz]) at which a phase compensation means originally needs to advance the phase, the gain at a high frequency (e.g., 1 [kHz]) at which the effect of a quantization error is worrying is reduced; therefore, the first-stage phase compensation means, which has been unable to be realized by anything but a hardware program, can be replaced by a software program; as a result, a more inexpensive electric power steering apparatus can be provided.

Embodiment 2

In foregoing Embodiment 1, the frequency characteristics of the phase compensation means are fixed; however, in an electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the frequency characteristics of at least one of the phase advance compensation means 5 and the phase delay compensation means 6 are changed in accordance with the steering state based on the vehicle speed; this configuration can raise the stability and the responsiveness.

Hereinafter, an electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 7 is a block diagram representing control in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; in contrast to Embodiment 1 in FIG. 1, the vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor 2 is inputted to each of the phase advance compensation means 5, which is a second-stage phase compensation means, and the phase delay compensation means 6, which is a third-stage phase compensation means, so that the frequency characteristics of these phase compensation means can be changed. The other configurations are the same as those in Embodiment 1 in FIG. 1.

Next, the operation of the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 2 will be explained. At first, as is the case with Embodiment 1, described above, the first-stage phase advance compensation means 4, the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5, and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 apply phase compensation to a torque signal that is outputted from the torque sensor 1 and is inputted to the electric power steering control means 12.

In this situation, because based on the vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor 2, the gradient of the assist current becomes large at a low vehicle speed, as represented in FIG. 6, the driver is liable to feel the fluctuation of the assist torque when the torque signal vibrates due to vibration components of a quantization error. Accordingly, in the electric power steering apparatus, represented in FIG. 7, according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the corner frequencies of each of the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 are set in such a way that f4/f3<f5/f6, for example, that as represented in FIG. 5, f3, f4, f5, and f6 are 19 [Hz], 28.5 [Hz], 3 [Hz], and 1.5 [Hz], respectively, so that the gain at a high frequency (e.g., 1 [kHz]) at which the effect of a quantization error is worrying is reduced.

In contrast, when the vehicle speed is high, the gradient of the assist current becomes small, as represented in FIG. 6; thus, even when due to vibration components of a quantization error, the torque signal vibrates, the driver does not readily feel the fluctuation of the assist torque. Accordingly, the corner frequencies of each of the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 represented in FIG. 7 are set in such a way that f4/f3=f5/f6, for example, that as represented in FIG. 8, f3, f4, f5, and f6 are 18.3 [Hz], 36.6 [Hz], 3 [Hz], and 1.5 [Hz], respectively, so that even when the high-frequency gain, i.e., the responsiveness is not reduced, the effect of a quantization error at a high frequency (e.g., 1 [kHz]) at which the effect is worrying can be reduced. That is to say, FIG. 8 is a characteristic chart representing frequency characteristics at a time when the high-frequency gain is “1”, obtained by combining the frequency characteristics of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the frequency characteristics of the third-stage phase delay compensation means in an electric power steering apparatus according to each of Embodiment 2, and Embodiments 3 and 4, described later, of the present invention.

As described above, in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the setting values in the transfer function of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 represented in FIG. 7 is changed, based on the vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor 2, in such a way that when the vehicle speed is low, the gain at a high frequency at which the effect of a quantization error is worrying is reduced; when the vehicle speed is high, the steering torque vs. assist current characteristic represented in FIG. 6 is lowered and hence the setting values in the frequency characteristics of each of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 are changed so that the gain is not reduced. As a result, the stability at a time of low vehicle speed and the responsiveness at a time of high vehicle speed can be raised.

Embodiment 3

In the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 2, described above, of the present invention, the frequency characteristics of at least one of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 are changed in accordance with the vehicle speed so that the responsiveness and the stability of the steering system are raised; however, the same effect is obtained also by changing the frequency characteristics of the phase compensation means by use of a differential signal from a steering angle sensor, i.e., a steering angle speed. In an electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the frequency characteristics of the phase compensation means are changed by use of a differential signal from a steering angle sensor, i.e., a steering angle speed. The other configurations are the same as those in Embodiment 1 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram representing control in an electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In contrast to Embodiment 1 represented in FIG. 1, an electric power steering control device, represented in FIG. 9, according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is provided with a steering angle sensor 13, instead of the vehicle sensor 2, that detects the angle of a steering wheel and outputs a steering angle signal and a differentiator 14 that applies, for example, a predetermined-time difference calculation to the steering angle signal from the steering angle sensor 13 so as to calculate the steering angle speed and to output a steering angle speed signal; the steering angle speed signal from the differentiator 14 is inputted to each of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 so that the frequency characteristics of at least one of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 can be changed in accordance with the steering angle speed. The other configurations are the same as those in Embodiment 1 in FIG. 1.

Next, the operation of the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be explained. At first, as is the case with Embodiment 1, described above, the first-stage phase advance compensation means 4, the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5, and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 apply phase compensation to a torque signal that is outputted from the torque sensor 1 and is inputted to the electric power steering control means 12.

In this situation, in the case where when the steering angle speed is low, there is utilized a torque signal to which phase compensation is applied, by use of the steering angle speed signal from the differentiator 14, at a high frequency (for example, 1 [kHz]) at which the effect of a quantization error is worrying, the driver is liable to feel a steering-torque fluctuation caused by a micro vibration of the foregoing assist current represented in FIG. 6; thus, the corner frequencies of each of the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6, represented in FIG. 9, are set in such a way that f4/f3<f5/f6, for example, that as represented in FIG. 5, f3, f4, f5, and f6 are 19 [Hz], 28.5 [Hz], 3 [Hz], and 1.5 [Hz], respectively, so that the gain at a high frequency (e.g., 1 [kHz]) at which the effect of a quantization error is worrying is reduced.

In contrast, when the steering angle speed is high, the driver is not liable to feel a steering-torque fluctuation even when a micro vibration of the assist current occurs due to a high frequency (e.g., 1 kHz) at which the effect of a quantization error is worrying; because it is more required, in terms of enhancing the merchantability, to raise the responsiveness than to deal with the steering-torque fluctuation, the corner frequencies of each of the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6, represented in FIG. 9, are set in such a way that f4/f3=f5/f6, for example, that as represented in FIG. 8, f3, f4, f5, and f6 are 18.3 [Hz], 36.6 [Hz], 3 [Hz], and 1.5 [Hz], respectively, so that the gain is prevented from being reduced and hence the responsiveness is prevented from being lowered.

As described above, in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, when the steering angle speed is low and hence a micro vibration of the handwheel is worrying, the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6, represented in FIG. 9, are changed so that the gain at a high frequency at which the effect of a quantization error is worrying is reduced, and when the steering angle speed is so high that not the micro vibration of the handwheel but the deterioration in the responsiveness is worrying, the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 are set in such a way that the gain at a high frequency is not reduced, so that the responsiveness can be prevented from decreasing.

Embodiment 4

In the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 3, described above, of the present invention, the frequency characteristics of at least one of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 are changed in accordance with the steering angle speed calculated based on the steering angle signal from the steering angle sensor so that the responsiveness and the stability of the steering system are raised; however, the same effect is obtained also by changing the frequency characteristics of the phase compensation means by use of a differential signal based on a torque signal from a torque sensor. In an electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, neither a vehicle speed sensor 2 nor a steering angle sensor is utilized, but a differential signal based on a torque signal from a torque sensor is utilized so that the frequency characteristics of the phase compensation means are changed. The other configurations are the same as those in Embodiment 1 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram representing control in an electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the electric power steering apparatus, represented in FIG. 10, according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, unlike Embodiment 1 represented in FIG. 1, the vehicle speed sensor 2 is not provided and only the torque sensor 1 is utilized; there is provided a differentiator 14 that differentiates a torque signal from the torque sensor 1 so as to output a torque differential signal; the torque differential signal from the differentiator 14 is inputted to the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6; the frequency characteristics of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 can be changed in accordance with the torque differential signal.

Next, the operation of the electric power steering apparatus, represented in FIG. 10, according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be explained. At first, as is the case with Embodiment 1, described above, the first-stage phase advance compensation means 4, the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5, and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 apply phase compensation to a torque signal that is outputted from the torque sensor 1 and is inputted to the electric power steering control means 12.

In this situation, in the case where when the torque changing amount is small, i.e., the steering wheel is held, there is utilized a torque signal to which phase compensation is applied, by use of the torque differential signal from the differentiator 14, at a high frequency (for example, 1 [kHz]) at which the effect of a quantization error is worrying, the driver is liable to feel a steering-torque fluctuation caused by a micro vibration of the foregoing assist current represented in FIG. 6; thus, the corner frequencies of each of the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6, represented in FIG. 10, are set in such a way that f4/f3<f5/f6, for example, that as represented in FIG. 5, f3, f4, f5, and f6 are 19 [Hz], 28.5 [Hz], 3 [Hz], and 1.5 [Hz], respectively, so that the gain at a high frequency (e.g., 1 [kHz]) at which the effect of a quantization error is worrying is reduced.

In contrast, in the case where when the torque changing amount is large, there is utilized a torque signal to which phase compensation has been applied at a high frequency (e.g., 1 [kHz]) at which the effect of a quantization error is worrying, the driver is not liable to feel a steering-torque fluctuation at a time when a micro vibration of the assist current occurs because the steering torque produced at a time when the driver is steering is sufficiently large in comparison with the steering-torque fluctuation; because it is more required, in terms of enhancing the merchantability, to raise the responsiveness than to deal with the steering-torque fluctuation, the corner frequencies of each of the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6, represented in FIG. 9, are set in such a way that f4/f3=f5/f6, for example, that as represented in FIG. 8, f3, f4, f5, and f6 are 18.3 [Hz], 36.6 [Hz], 3 [Hz], and 1.5 [Hz], respectively, so that the gain is prevented from being reduced and hence the responsiveness is prevented from being lowered.

As described above, in the electric power steering apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, when the torque changing amount is small and hence a micro vibration of the handwheel is worrying, the frequency characteristics of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6, represented in FIG. 10, are changed so that the gain at a high frequency at which the effect of a quantization error is worrying is reduced, and when the torque changing amount is so large that not the micro vibration of the handwheel but the deterioration in the responsiveness is worrying, the frequency characteristics of the second-stage phase advance compensation means 5 and the third-stage phase delay compensation means 6 are set in such a way that the gain at a high frequency is not reduced, so that the responsiveness can be prevented from decreasing.

In the scope of the present invention, the embodiments thereof can freely be combined with one another and can appropriately be modified or omitted.

Each of the foregoing electric power steering apparatuses according to respective Embodiments of the present invention is the one in which at least any one of the following inventions is put into practice.

(1) An electric power steering apparatus comprising:

a torque sensor that detects steering torque exerted on a steering system of a vehicle by a driver of the vehicle and then outputs a torque signal;

a motor that is coupled with the steering system, generates assist torque for assisting steering by the driver, and then exerts the assist torque on the steering system; and

a control means that drives the motor in such a way that the assist torque corresponding to the torque signal is generated,

wherein the control means includes at least

-   -   a first-stage phase compensation means that is formed of         software and applies phase compensation to the torque signal         outputted from the torque sensor,     -   a second-stage phase compensation means that is formed of         software and applies phase compensation to a torque signal to         which phase compensation has been applied by the first-stage         phase compensation means, and     -   a third-stage phase compensation means that is formed of         software and applies phase compensation to a torque signal to         which phase compensation has been applied by the second-stage         phase compensation means,

wherein letting T1 and T2 denote time constants, a transfer function of the first-stage phase compensation means is given by a Laplace transformation equation (1+T1·s)/(1+T2·s),

wherein letting T3 and T4 denote time constants, a transfer function of the second-stage phase compensation means is given by a Laplace transformation equation (1+T3·s)/(1+T4·s),

wherein letting T5 and T6 denote time constants, a transfer function of the third-stage phase compensation means is given by a Laplace transformation equation (1+T5·s)/(1+T6·s),

wherein the first-stage phase compensation means, the second-stage phase compensation means, and the third-stage phase compensation means are configured in such a way that a frequency at which a phase calculated through the transfer function of the first-stage phase compensation means becomes maximal and a frequency at which a phase calculated through a transfer function of the second-stage phase compensation means and the third-stage phase compensation means becomes maximal coincide with each other, and

wherein the control means controls the motor, based on a torque signal to which the first-stage phase compensation means, the second-stage phase compensation means, and the third-stage phase compensation means have applied phase compensation.

(2) The electric power steering apparatus according to (1),

wherein each of the first-stage phase compensation means and the second-stage phase compensation means are phase advance compensation means that apply phase-advance compensation to the torque signal, and

wherein the third-stage phase compensation means is a phase delay compensation means that applies phase-delay compensation to the torque signal.

(3) The electric power steering apparatus according to (2),

wherein when it is assumed that letting f3 and f4 denote corner frequencies, the respective transfer functions of the first-stage phase advance compensation means and the second-stage phase advance compensation means are given by the following equations:

f3<f4,

f3=1/(2π·T3), and

f4=1/(2π·T4)

and that letting f5 and f6 denote corner frequencies, the transfer function of the third-stage phase delay compensation means is given by the following equations:

f5>f6,

f5=1/(2π·T5), and

f6=1/(2π·T6),

the respective corner frequencies of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the third-stage phase delay compensation means are set in such a way that f4/f3<f5/f6. (4) The electric power steering apparatus according to (3), wherein as the vehicle speed of the vehicle becomes higher, the respective corner frequencies of the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the third-stage phase delay compensation means are changed from setting values with which f4/f3<f5/f6 to setting values with which f4/f3=f5/f6.

In the electric power steering apparatus configured in such a manner described above, based on the output signal of the vehicle speed sensor, the respective frequency characteristics of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the third-stage phase delay compensation means are changed in such a way that when the effect of a quantization error at a time of a low vehicle speed is large, the gain is reduced to cope with the effect and in such a way that at a time of a high vehicle speed, the gain is not reduced so that the responsiveness can be prevented from being deteriorated.

(5) The electric power steering apparatus according to (3), wherein as the steering-angle changing amount of the vehicle becomes larger, the respective corner frequencies of the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the third-stage phase delay compensation means are changed from setting values with which f4/f3<f5/f6 to setting values with which f4/f3=f5/f6.

In the electric power steering apparatus configured in such a manner as described above, when the steering angle speed is low and hence a micro vibration of the steering wheel is worrying, the gain is reduced, and when the steering angle speed is so high that not the micro vibration of the steering wheel but the deterioration in the responsiveness is worrying, the frequency characteristics of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the third-stage phase delay compensation means are set in such a way that the gain is not reduced, so that the responsiveness can be prevented from decreasing.

(6) The electric power steering apparatus according to (3), wherein as the steering-torque changing amount of the vehicle becomes larger, the respective corner frequencies of the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the third-stage phase delay compensation means are changed from setting values with which f4/f3<f5/f6 to setting values with which f4/f3=f5/f6.

In the electric power steering apparatus configured as described above, when the torque changing amount is small and hence a micro vibration of the steering wheel is worrying, the frequency characteristics of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the third-stage phase delay compensation means are changed so that the gain at a high frequency at which the effect of a quantization error is worrying is reduced, and when the torque changing amount is so large that not the micro vibration of the steering wheel but the deterioration in the responsiveness is worrying, the frequency characteristics of the second-stage phase advance compensation means and the third-stage phase delay compensation means are set in such a way that the gain at a high frequency is not reduced, so that the responsiveness can be prevented from decreasing.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applied to the field of an electric power steering apparatus to be mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile or to the automobile industry.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1: torque sensor -   2: vehicle speed sensor -   3: motor -   4: first-stage phase advance compensation means -   5: second-stage phase advance compensation means -   6: third-stage phase delay compensation means -   7: motor current target value calculation means -   8: motor current detection means -   9: motor current control means -   10: motor driving means -   11: microcomputer -   12: electric power steering control means -   13: steering angle sensor -   14: differentiator 

1. An electric power steering apparatus comprising: a torque sensor that detects steering torque exerted on a steering system of a vehicle by a driver of the vehicle and then outputs a torque signal; a motor that is coupled with the steering system, generates assist torque for assisting steering by the driver, and then exerts the assist torque on the steering system; and a control means that drives the motor in such a way that the assist torque corresponding to the torque signal is generated, wherein the control means includes at least a first-stage phase compensator that is formed of software and applies phase compensation to the torque signal outputted from the torque sensor, a second-stage phase compensator that is formed of software and applies phase compensation to a torque signal to which phase compensation has been applied by the first-stage phase compensation means, and a third-stage phase compensator that is formed of software and applies phase compensation to a torque signal to which phase compensation has been applied by the second-stage phase compensation means, wherein letting T1 and T2 denote time constants, a transfer function of the first-stage phase compensator is given by a Laplace transformation equation (1+T1·s)/(1+T2·s), wherein letting T3 and T4 denote time constants, a transfer function of the second-stage phase compensator is given by a Laplace transformation equation (1+T3·s)/(1+T4·s), wherein letting T5 and T6 denote time constants, a transfer function of the third-stage phase compensator is given by a Laplace transformation equation (1+T5·s)/(1+T6·s), wherein the first-stage phase compensator, the second-stage phase compensator, and the third-stage phase compensator are configured in such a way that a frequency at which a phase calculated through the transfer function of the first-stage phase compensator becomes maximal and a frequency at which a phase calculated through a transfer function of the second-stage phase compensator and the third-stage phase compensator becomes maximal coincide with each other, and wherein the controller controls the motor, based on a torque signal to which the first-stage phase compensator, the second-stage phase compensator, and the third-stage phase compensator have applied phase compensation.
 2. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first-stage phase compensator and the second-stage phase compensator are phase advance compensator that apply phase-advance compensation to the torque signal, and wherein the third-stage phase compensator is a phase delay compensator that applies phase-delay compensation to the torque signal.
 3. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when it is assumed that letting f3 and f4 denote corner frequencies, the respective transfer functions of the first-stage phase advance compensator and the second-stage phase advance compensator are given by the following equations: f3<f4, f3=1/(2π·T3), and f4=1/(2π·T4) and that letting f5 and f6 denote corner frequencies, the transfer function of the third-stage phase delay compensator is given by the following equations: f5>f6, f5=1/(2π·T5), and f6=1/(2π·T6), the respective corner frequencies of the second-stage phase advance compensator and the third-stage phase delay compensator are set in such a way that f4/f3<f5/f6.
 4. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein as the vehicle speed of the vehicle becomes higher, the respective corner frequencies of the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensator and the third-stage phase delay compensator are changed from setting values with which f4/f3<f5/f6 to setting values with which f4/f3=f5/f6.
 5. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein as the steering-angle changing amount of the vehicle becomes larger, the respective corner frequencies of the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensator and the third-stage phase delay compensator are changed from setting values with which f4/f3<f5/f6 to setting values with which f4/f3=f5/f6.
 6. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein as the steering-torque changing amount of the vehicle becomes larger, the respective corner frequencies of the transfer functions of the second-stage phase advance compensator and the third-stage phase delay compensator are changed from setting values with which f4/f3<f5/f6 to setting values with which f4/f3=f5/f6. 